Nylabone Extras

• How to Take Great Pictures of your Dog
  January 30, 2012 by admin  |  Nylabone Extras  |  Comments (1)  | 
  

  

  We are always asking our Facebook fans to take and post pictures of their pets, but we know this is not always an easy task. If your dog is anything like our friend Riley the Golden Retriever, he or she rarely will sit still long enough for you to get a good photo. Here are some tips to help you capture your dog’s finest moments.
     

  Showcasing Your Dog’s Unique Personality Is Key

  You know best what type of personality your dog has. Whether he is lazy or she is particularly hyperactive, Digital-Photography-School.com says these are things you want to try to capture on film. For example, if you notice your dog has a particularly cute way of lying on the floor, set up the photo shoot around that so you can capture his finest moments.

   

  Get on Their Level

  It can be difficult getting your dog to sit still for long enough to get close up and snap a picture. However, if you manage to succeed in capturing a “dog’s-eye view,” your picture may be significantly better than one taken from above from a human perspective.

   

  Shoot on Special Occasions         

  Dogster.com recommends capturing moments when your dog is out of his or her regular element. Change it up – try to get pictures of your dog when they aren’t just lying on your family room floor.  Backyard BBQs, parties, and play-dates are great times to snap pictures.

   

  Lighting Is Important

  In general, using a flash can be distracting or even frightening for your dog. The flash can also cause a red-eye problem, which does not look good in pictures. Try to take a photo using available (natural or artificial) lighting.

   

  Work With a Blank Canvas

  Pay attention to your surroundings – is the background going to be a distraction? Sometimes the best places to snap pictures are the simplest, like on the grass at the park or against a white wall.

   

  Focus on Your Dog’s Unique Features

  Does your pooch have beautiful eyes, funny-looking ears, or soft fluffy fur? Dpreview.com claims that close-ups of body parts often work better than traditional full-body portraits.

   

  Give Them a Toy to Play With

  Capture candid, playful photos of your dog with his or her toys. Blissful. Mischievous. Triumphant. These characteristics can show through your pictures and make them more fun to look at than a dog sitting nicely. At Nylabone, we have a full line of fun toys for dogs, including chew toys, Frisbees, tug toys, balls, treat toys, and more!

   

  Try some of the tips above and share a photo of your pet on the Nylabone Facebook page today!

   

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• How to Socialize Your Puppy
  January 18, 2012 by admin  |  Nylabone Extras  |  Comments (0)  | 
  

  Socialize Your Puppy

  One of the most valuable lessons you can teach your puppy is that the world is a safe place, with kind humans and friendly dogs and other animals. The act of exposing your puppy to the world is called socialization. Many puppy owners have heard that this is important but really don’t know how to go about doing it correctly. If you do it right, you’ll help your puppy grow up to be confident and outgoing. If it’s done wrong, you can inadvertently create a frightened, aggressive puppy.

  A critical time for your puppy’s learning is from birth to 16 weeks of age. During this time, puppies can absorb a great deal of information, but they are also very vulnerable to bad experiences. Puppies who are not properly exposed to different types of people and other animals can find them very startling or frightening when they do finally encounter them at an older age. They may react by growling, cowering, or even biting. But if they have positive experiences with people and animals before they turn 16 weeks of age, they are less likely to be afraid of them later.

  Soon after you bring your puppy home (preferably no younger than eight weeks of age), it’s time to start your socialization training program.

  
  

  Protecting Your Puppy’s Health

  Most puppies will not get all their shots until they are 15 to 16 weeks of age. Some breeders and veterinarians recommend an even more extended schedule. It’s very important that you do not expose your puppy to dangerous diseases until she’s had vaccinations to protect her.
  Puppies can get diseases by walking where sick dogs have been and by picking up traces of feces or other bodily fluids. Some viruses, such as the parvovirus, are extremely durable and contagious, and it only takes a small amount of exposure to infect your puppy. How do you prevent exposure?
  Do not let your puppy walk in public places. This means that you should not let your puppy walk in the neighborhood or in public parks until she has had all her shots. If you must take your puppy to these places, carry her. Of course, this will be easier with a Maltese puppy than it will be with an English Mastiff, but it’s up to you to keep your puppy safe.
  The need to keep your puppy safe from disease can compete with the need to socialize her. If the ideal window for socialization is up to 16 weeks, and your puppy will not complete her shot series before then, how can you expose her to the world? Here’s how to do it safely:

  • Invite friends and family to your house. If your puppy can’t get out, bring the people in! Ask them to remove their shoes before coming into your home just in case they’ve stepped in something that can cause your puppy harm.
  • Invite safe, friendly dogs to your home. If you have friends who have suitable dogs for your puppy to meet, invite them to come play at your place.
  • Only visit safe houses. If you have friends who have a suitable, healthy dog who would play well with your puppy, visit their homes. This is safer than letting your puppy walk in a public park or in a neighborhood where you don’t know the dogs who have been there. Be sure to carry your puppy from the car into your friend’s home.
  • Do not let your puppy run up to dogs you don’t know, especially at the veterinarian’s office. Dogs who visit the veterinarian may be sick. If you let your puppy greet them, you could be exposing her to a contagious disease. Carry your young puppy into the veterinarian’s office, and keep her in your lap (or in her crate) until her immune system is protected.

  These simple steps will allow you to socialize your puppy while minimizing exposure to disease.
  
  Read more about Socializing Your Puppy or Find a Nylabone chew, treat or toy for your Puppy!
  
  Excerpted from Puppy Care & Training© 2007 T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Used by Permission.

  Website:http://www.petbookexpress.com

  
  
  

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• Pet Spotlight
  January 10, 2012 by admin  |  Nylabone Extras  |  Comments (0)  | 
  

  2012 is now in full swing, and here at Nylabone we hope your year is off to a great start so far! Nothing brightens up a dreary January day for us more than seeing your adorable pets smiling for the camera, so submit a photo of your dog today via Email, Facebook, or Twitter!

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

  
  
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• Holiday Dog Tips from Nylabone!
  December 16, 2011 by admin  |  Nylabone Extras  |  Comments (3)  | 
  

  Holidays with your Dog

  The Holiday Season is a magical time—especially when you’ve got a furry friend around to remind you how precious life truly is!
  
  

  P-R-E-S-E-N-T-S!

  Shopping for your dog is just as much fun as shopping for a child. There are toys, outfits, and practical gifts to buy. There are dog stockings to fill. Children may grow up and lose the magic of the season, but dogs are always willing to believe that a nice man in a red suit wants to give them piles of toys! Enjoy!
  
  While you’re making a list of who’s been naughty or nice this holiday season, don’t forget your precious pooch! What dog doesn’t love a yummy treat, or a new chew or toy? From Dog Treats/Edible Chews, to Dog Toys/Chews (for Powerful or Moderate chewers) Nylabone has a gift to make your dog the envy of every dog on the block! We even have all-new cat products that make purr-fect holiday gifts for your feline friends!
  
  
  

  
  

  Photo with Santa-Paws

  Many of the larger pet supply stores offer a photo op with your dog and Santa and, most often, the proceeds go to a good cause. And, you’ll end up with the perfect Holiday card to send your friends next year.
  
  

  Christmas Safety for Dogs

• Be sure that your dog doesn’t get too much rich “people” food. This applies to any day, but no holiday has as much rich food as Christmas does.
• Make sure your dog can’t dash out a door when company comes. You are likely to have more company in December than during the rest of the year combined.
• Substances like chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine are dangerous year-round, but are more likely to be in the house at Christmastime.
• Candles are always a worry. Some Christmas decorations include lighted candles next to dry fir arrangements—just don’t do it!

If you have an adventurous dog, remember these Christmas Tree safety tips:

Will your dog ever outgrow this behavior? Maybe. A lot of boisterous puppies and young dogs become very mellow adults. However, some dogs—like some people—just never grow up, and “better safe than sorry” definitely applies here. Keep a careful eye on your dog and his environment. Make sure that he can’t get in trouble. Love him, protect him, guard him, and make sure he stays safe through the holidays.

Hanukkah Safety for Dogs

The “Festival of Lights” can be a fun time to include your dog in holiday festivities, but keep these safety rules in mind.

New Year’s Eve Safety for Dogs

When you think of New Year’s Eve, you probably think of fun parties, noise, and libations. However, your dog’s idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve is probably snuggling with you on the couch and watching the ball fall on Times Square on the television. No matter how you decide to celebrate, it is a great time to make some resolutions for the year ahead with your dog.

Stress Less

Do you spell “holiday” S-T-R-E-S-S? The odds are you’re spending half of December frantically shopping, wrapping presents, baking cookies, and maybe even still decorating the house. For lots of people, the holiday season is also a time when the job requires overtime hours.

As the stress piles up, imagine what you seem like to your dog. The gentle, patient person who your animal loves has suddenly morphed into a frazzled, edgy, worried jangle of nerves. Your dog will pick up on your stress, and he may be likely to bark more, turn a deaf ear to commands, and chew.

Take a Break

Deep in your heart, you know you can accomplish more if you relax. Just 15 or 20 minutes of happy time with your pet will make all of you feel better. A simple walk can help both you and your dog deal with holiday stress. During that walk, the two of you can renew your bond. You’ll be on friendship time, not holiday time. When you come back into the house, your dog won’t care if your house isn’t picture perfect, and the break will remind you that sharing time with the creatures you love is part of what makes a house a home. If you don’t have 20 minutes at the moment, take 1 minute. Give your dog a (healthy) treat. Scratch him behind the ears. Take a mini-break, and it will do wonders for your stress levels.

Excerpted from The Little Dogs Beauty Book© 2006 T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Used by Permission.

Website:http://www.petbookexpress.com